In The End

Authors Note: ((thoughts))

“So, meet anyone new lately?” Destiny’s dad asked her, after they were settled down and had their orders.
“No, Daddy, no one new. No one even remotely used. Not even antique.” she replied.
The atmosphere around them was old country. That’s the way Cracker Barrel was set up. It never put Destiny at ease to be in these surroundings, but, she’d do anything for just one piece of their sourdough bread. Her plate held 3 pieces of the bread, a piece of Salisbury Steak, and a big glob of garlic mashed potatoes. Her father was on his 2nd steak.
“Well, that’s no good.” He said, “You’re too good for most men anyway. We use women and dump them like paper plates anyway.”
Destiny smiled, her eyes crinkling around the edges. “Yes, it’s true that most of the good ones are taken, but I’m sure if I keep looking, I’m bound to find someone, right?”
He nodded, chewing a piece of meat. “I suppose,” he said with his mouth full. “Of course, “he continued a s a swallow, “I like your lookout on life. You screw them and dump them. It’s a good way to get things done, you know?”
Destiny laughed loudly, “Oh hell. What kind of things am I getting done, besides sleeping with a shit load of guys, Daddy?”
Her father shrugged, “Fuck. I don’t know. I just think it’s a good way of life. I mean, if I would’ve done that, I’d be a much happier man. Don’t tell your step-mother I said that.”
She shook her head, “Of course not. You know, really, you’re a great father. Most dads wouldn’t understand anything about me. You know, if I had a different one? But, you do. Mom thinks I’m a fucking nutcase and she’s hated me ever since I moved out. She hates that I’m a Wiccan and she hates that I’m bisexual. I think it’s the fact that I have control of myself, that she hates the most.”
He nodded, laughed, and glanced down at his watch. “Shit. It’s almost 5. We should jet right about now.”
Destiny glanced at her watch, also, and then jumped up to wait for him to pay. He did and then they both ran to the jeep and got in.
A little later, she gave her dad a hug and hopped out of his jeep and into her car. Then, she sped of down roa road to where her brother lived.
Arriving in his driveway, she honked the horn twice and waited. She turned up her CD player, KoRn’s Trash was playing, her favorite song. Before long she was tapping her fingers against her steering wheel and singing along, loudly.
It took her brother 9 minutes to get out to the car. He was lugging a black and yellow gym bag and wearing a silver club shirt, open in front over black pants. He was shorter than most 15 year olds and smarter too. He had spiked up blue hair and wore black eyeliner and gray eye shadow, something she had taught him after realizing men in the 80’s were so much hotter.
((Jesus)), she thought, drumming her long fingernails against the wheel, ((every male I know wears those damn shirts. I can’t stand it. Hasn’t anyone heard of T-shirts or flannels nowadays?)) With a sigh she watched him throw his stuff in her back seat and climb in the front seat next to her.
With a wave and a nod from her brother, she took off, to drive silently home. Silently, but for the loud rock music crashing from her speakers.
Moments later, they were at Destiny and Timmy’s brick house, and they were both climbing out of the car.
“Justin,” Destiny called to her brother, who was walking toward the front door, “Don’t forget your bag.”
With a laugh, he bounced over to the car, opened the door, and got it out to take inside. They walked through the house and up to Destiny’s bedroom. Timmy wasn’t home from work yet, so Destiny reveled in the silence of the house. No techno was good techno. Justin threw his bag to the side of the room and they both fell exhausted on her bed.
Next to her on the pillow, Justin coughed silently. “So, what made you a little late?” he asked her, smirking.
“Do you always watch the damn clock like a hawk?” She shouted toward him, setting up and surprised.
“Yes.” He nodded and said with a short laugh.
“You know that’s wasting your life watching the minutes tick by.” She told him, “It’s all really fucking depressing.”
He shrugged the remark off.
“Anyway,” She aned, ed, “Daddy came into the store today. We went out to eat at Cracker Barrel. We were talking, time slipped away.”
He nodded and was silent.
“Oh!” Destiny shouted remembering, “Remember that guy I was talking about with the blue eyes I met that one year at the dance?”
“Uh, no” Justin told her, “Not really.”
She sighed in aggravation, “You could at least pretend. Anyway, he’s coming over tonight. He came into work and he started today. He looked like he was undressing me with his eyes, I kind of liked it.”
He laughed loudly and then stopped, “Wait,” Ha said, “I’m not in the way?”
“Hell no!” She cried, “We’ll just have sex while you tape it!”
His eyebrow raised.
“What?” She said, “I was totally joking! Really, I have the biggest collection of DVDs anywhere. I could open my own damn Lotsa Flicks. We have a big screen. You can watch a movie for an hour or so.”
“Unless he’s like other men you’ve dated. Then I can just watch a movie for five minutes.” He countered, laughing.
“Really mature, Justin!” She said, playfully slugging him.
Suddenly, Destiny’s cell phone rung loudly, making them both jump.
She plucked the phone of her pocket and flipped it open after glancing at the unfamiliar number on the caller ID.
“Hello?” She said, answering.
“I bet you look sexy naked.” Said the voice on the other end.
“James?” She said, embarrassed.
“That would be me.” Said the cool male voice.
“I’m a shift leader, you can’t say that to me.” She said, gaining composure.
“You can’t tell me you didn’t like it.” He growled into her ear.
“You’ll find out when you get here,” She told him, “When are you getting here, by the way.”
“I’ll be there as soon as you give me directions.” He replied.
She did and he told her he got a couple movies for them to pass the time with. They hung up and she hopped up to get ready.
She didn’t know what to wear, so she consulted her little brother. They went through her closet as she cursed Timmy for still being at work. He was the clothing consultant. Justin was one one to talk to for gothic and punk wear.
((Ack)), her brain called, ((This is not at all fun. It’s not like I’m going to be in them all night. I know what he wants and it’s not like I’m going to say no.))
After fussing for a second she threw on a pair of cut-off short shorts and a baby-doll T-shirt that said “The Matrix Has You!” in bright green. She then redid her make-up and pulled her hair up into a sexy messy ponytail.
((Ready for anything)), she told herself. But the confidence left her as she heard the doorbell chime from downstairs.